New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-04-03
TIE PEW CHURCH AND TIE FREE
A LETTER FROM THE REV. DIR. RAINsFoRD.

THE RECTOR OF ST. GEORGES DISCUSSES soMp
CHARACTERISTICS or THE TWO SYSTEMS.
To The Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: In last Sundays TRIBUNE sec some reference
to an admirable sermon OF the Rev. DR.. Donald, Of
Ascension Church. New-York The one point. however.
in that sermon. with which it is impossible for me to
agree. is the point which THE TRIBUNE lays stress,
namely Dr. Donads for giving preference 70 the
pew church system rather than the free. Dr. Donald
says that long free churches do little TO support
any work. not Immediately connected with their
ganzaon so long does he hope the church which
he Is rector will remain pew church rather than FREQ
First OF all, sir allow me to give briefly two
why in instances 1t Is but natural to expec
that free churches should give less to missions and ohe
outside calls the churchs benevoence than those
churches whose seats rented
First large proportion Of our free churches are only
made free they have, in the first instance been
failures pew churches 1t Is not reasonable to sup
pose that the church that has failed under system
going to be very great financial success under another
Next free church is success It's services are at
all largely attended those who Of necessity
subjected to less inconvenience they cannot al
ways sit in the seats they may in some instances
be obliged short time before the service be-
gins they are in short called upon to undergo some
very real though small sedenias for the causes sake
Now matter Of fact large proportion OF our church
people, in going to place OF worship on Sunday, are
chiefly an xious to find preacher who suits them and
seat in which they be comfortable The idea OF self
denial, the idea OF foregoing their comfort for the
sake OF Others the idea OF helping the public to that
the true idea of the Christian church place where
few can have special spiritual advantages, but that
the church should rather be the living embodiment both
in services and its very buildings OF the Gospel Of
Jesus Chrst-his idea say, does not to them. II
they cannot be quite comfortable, they will go
somewhere where they can. If they cannot get
the Same seat five minutes after service begins,
they will go somewhere where they They are
not short converted up the point Of free churchsm
1t does not TO them that their weekly services
should possibly involve any sefdenal and the result OF
these facts this that the larger proportion OF weodc
people who afford 10 pay hundred dollars, or often
several hundred dollars tsr pew, prefer to have pes
Of their own and will not be found in a free church.
so long there but few free churches and many
pew churches in cities it stands TO that those
few free churches labor at immense disadvantage But
when / have said this. have not stated the as
strongly 1t be stated in favor OF free churches
do not propose to take any argument In favor OF tho
principle OF free church, will not trespa's your
space the extent that would be necessary to do
think do not take too much for granted, however.
III say that large proportion OF our Christian people
admit that free churches Ideally better than pew
churches dan suppose the irmest supporters OF pew
churches against free, think that will possess special
pews OF our own IN the millennium. But do say, sir.
that when the free church system is adopted by any
church. last resort but is adopted conscientious
ly and is thoroughly worked It can show good results
any pew church.
For instance, IN the Diocese OF Minnesota, Bishop Whip
pie informs me he has but two pew churches, and that
diocese contributes all religious purposesas any
can who refers Whitakers Almanac the rate ot
$40 % per head for its communicates The Diocese Of
Albany the other hand is not free church diocese TO
the same extent Is the Diocese or Minnesota. sup
pose there little doubt that Albany is Weather do
cese than Minnesota; but ind that Albany contributes
per capita, for its communicates little over sl5.
Take a single instance OF a single Church: The Church
Of the Holy Communion In NewYork city has been from
its foundation worked a free church That church.
quite small one, with only $50 communicates on IL roll
and the great proportion OF these poor, contributed last
year $50 $50 church work. OF which only little
$4,000 spent ITSELF Its gifts to diocesan objects
and diocesan and foreign missions will compare most
favoraby, when the numbers ana wealth OF its commune
cants taken account with any church in the Do
OF NewYork any other diocese In this, or ndeei
think may say any other lanL What IS needed. in
order TO free churches succeed Is thorough
victou that the free church Is the only church ot
the future for the city OF the future Given this conyic
and given thorough application OF system and
free churches have given and will give more than their
share OF help to objects outside the churches
May quote one instance, In conclusion. within my
experienced In my own sunday-school there
ly any rich children. do not think exasgerate when
sag that tho sunday school offerings during the year
10 contain hair dozen tcnccnt pieces AMI yet,
by the adoption OF a thorough system IN tho school, tnoss
poor children contributed the Of missions $50
year. Will you pardon my 50 far trespassng on your
valuable space aud believe 10 be.
Faithfully yours W. 9 RArNsroGD
Nc,c- York, March 81. 1887. St Georges Church